Digital Rights Weekly| Year 5 Issue 9

EC Steps Up Media Oversight Ahead of March 5 Polls
With just a day remaining until Nepal’s House of Representatives election on March 5, the Election Commission (EC) has intensified oversight of media content in an effort to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process. These measures, however, have raised concerns about potential encroachments on constitutional press freedoms. This week, the EC directed the Press Council Nepal to monitor media outlets and cautioned journalists against publishing or amplifying content capable of influencing voter behavior. These directives are grounded in the Election Code of Conduct, which prohibits surveys, opinion polls, or content favoring or disadvantaging candidates during the election period. In addition, the EC has instructed authorities to suspend 11 online platforms conducting “live” opinion polling, citing the risk of misleading voters or creating bandwagon effects. Violations of the Code may carry fines, candidate disqualification, or other sanctions, reflecting the Commission’s strong focus on electoral integrity amid rapid digital information flows.
The BBC World Service documentary Shot Like Enemies: Inside Nepal’s Gen Z Uprising, released just week before the election in English and Nepali, examines the September 8, 2025, protests that resulted in the deaths of 19 young demonstrators. The EC formally requested the Press Council Nepal to facilitate the removal of the documentary under Section 25(1)(t) of the Election Code, citing concerns that the timing, just before polling and prior to a domestic inquiry, could influence voter behavior. While the Press Council Nepal noted its lack of direct authority over international outlets, it urged Nepali media and social media users to refrain from disseminating unverified foreign content and recommended diplomatic coordination to address the matter internationally.
Domestic media have also faced scrutiny. In mid-February 2026, Setopati Online was flagged by the EC for publishing constituency-level election projections, including for Chitwan-3. The EC cited Sections 4(j) and 25(1)(b) of the Code, which prohibit opinion polls or content favoring specific candidates between the nomination filing date and polling day and asked to take down the content. Setopati challenged the directive by filing a writ petition with the Supreme Court, which has issued a show-cause order. Hearings are ongoing, and the outlet continues to publish projections.
While the Election Code seeks to regulate pre-election content, constitutional protections for press freedom and citizens’ right to information must remain paramount. Arbitrary restrictions on reporting risk limiting transparency and narrowing the public’s access to essential knowledge about the electoral process. At the same time, reporting that is partial, biased, or produced without clear methodology can undermine electoral integrity. This underscores the responsibility of media outlets to ensure that their coverage is accurate, well-researched, and independent. By maintaining high standards, the media serves as a conduit for public knowledge, helping voters make informed choices while safeguarding the credibility of elections.

Nepal’s March 5 Election Faces Surge of Misinformation and AI Manipulation
With only days remaining until Nepal’s pivotal March 5 House of Representatives election, the final week has been dominated by a wave of misinformation, disinformation, and AI-generated content across social media. Experts warn that these false narratives risk misleading voters, swaying undecided citizens, and undermining confidence in the democratic process during this historic post-2025 Gen Z-led election.
Prominent cases have highlighted the scope of deception. A fabricated video falsely claimed that Indian celebrities Amitabh Bachchan and Ranveer Kapoor endorsed RSP Balendra Shah (Balen) in Jhapa-5. Similarly, the Ujyalo Nepal Party denied viral claims that it had withdrawn candidates in constituencies including Morang-6, Dolpa, and Achham. Independent candidate Diwakar Sah from Dhanusha-3 also refuted misleading reports suggesting he had withdrawn or endorsed another contender. In Jhapa-5, a repurposed police video from a past fraud bust was twisted to falsely allege seizure of 1.2 billion in fake notes linked to Balen’s campaign area. A 15-second deepfake showed former Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba allegedly claiming “all the banknotes found in my house were AI, demonstrating how easily AI content can deceive audiences with low digital literacy.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged caution, emphasizing that individuals or groups spreading false or artificial content are under government surveillance. Nepal Police have already booked several people for disseminating misinformation. Despite the mandatory campaign silence period, misleading posts continue circulating online, highlighting the growing challenge of digital manipulation in elections.
As the polls approach, the combination of accessible AI tools, low digital literacy, and viral social media content has turned the election into a digital battleground. Experts call for stronger fact-checking, responsible platform enforcement, and citizen vigilance to ensure a free, fair, and credible vote.